As entries for the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards open, organisers have paid tribute to the new wave of sustainable innovation emerging from the Central Coast.
At the forefront is Signarama Tuggerah, winner of the 2024 Hunter Manufacturing Award for Excellence in Sustainable Operations.
Their cutting-edge signage solutions, developed in collaboration with Spandex, HP and Avery Dennison, debuted on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The result was recyclable, reusable signage that cut carbon emissions by 22% and met global performance standards.
Powered by solar energy, using PVC-free materials and water-based inks, Signarama reduced energy use by 34% and landfill waste by 15% in just 12 months.
Hunter Manufacturing Awards Chair Jacqui Daley said their pioneering work in sustainable signage was a statement in sustainability.
“They designed, developed and delivered world first recyclable and reusable signage solutions,” she said.
Hunter Manufacturing Awards Board Member and Executive Director of Central Coast Industry Connect Frank Sammut believes the region is at the forefront of an industrial transformation.
“The Central Coast is proving that manufacturing and sustainability are not mutually exclusive,” he said.
“Businesses are creating smarter, greener, globally competitive models, right here in our backyard.”
He said Central Coast manufacturing highlights included Agrana Fruit at Central Mangrove, running on 100% renewable electricity from wind and solar and on track to achieve zero landfill waste this year, circular packaging by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2040.
Also at the forefront is 4 Seasons Insulation at West Gosford, which reduces household energy consumption through smart insulation solutions.
It offers sustainable materials that cut reliance on non-renewables and reduce the carbon footprint of production.
4id Solutions at Wyong designs smart RFID products using compostable, biodegradable, and FSC-certified materials, prioritising waste reduction and environmental responsibility.
Janus Electric at Berkeley Vale leads the zero-carbon freight movement by converting existing diesel-powered heavy trucks into electric vehicles.
This approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions and extends the operational life of current vehicles, minimising waste and the need for new manufacturing.
Sammut said these innovations aligned with the Central Coast Pledge, encouraging locals and visitors to tread lightly, ditch single-use plastics, and support businesses committed to environmental stewardship.
“As Australia moves toward a net-zero future, Central Coast manufacturers are proving that industrial innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand,” he said.
The Hunter Manufacturing Awards spotlight businesses like these that are shaping a cleaner, smarter future.
Full entry details, category descriptions, key dates, and eligibility criteria for the awards are available at www.hma.org.au with applications open until Wednesday, August 20.
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